Norway’s largest meat producer, Notura, along with the Norwegian Meat and Poultry Industry Association (KLF), have stated they aim to phase out fast-growing chicken breeds by December 2027. Further, they have claimed they will replace the practice of killing male chicks in the egg industry with in-ovo sexing techniques by July 2027.
As Nortura owns the only remaining chicken hatchery in the country that hasn’t yet phased out fast-growing chickens, this announcement means this practice will no longer be in effect nationally. The ambition to replace chick culling by even sooner also marks a significant step for higher welfare in the Norwegian egg sector.
According to a veterinarian at Dyrevernalliansen, stopping the production of fast-growing chickens will give more than 70 million chickens a better quality of life each year. An end date for culling will also spare more than 3 million male chicks from being killed annually.
Raising the bar for European chicken policy
Our members Anima International and Dyrevernalliansen have worked tirelessly to end the production of fast-growing chickens in Norway. These birds, bred to reach slaughter weight in as little as five weeks, cannot live a good life. Eliminating fast-growing breeds and focusing only on higher welfare alternatives will be a distinct turning point for chicken welfare in the country.
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